Yet more exquisite artwork has been recently created at the castle. Using voluntary donations from local visitors gathered at the Castle’s welcome hut, award winning artist Peta Laurisen has created a stunning mural spanning one whole wall of the Castle courtyard.

‘Journey to Shangri-La’ is a magical journey with a distinctly Asian flavour and has been painted in Peta’s specialty style, trompe l’oeil. From the French for ‘trick the eye’, trompe l’oeil is an art technique that creates the optical illusion that the objects in the painting are in three dimensions.

The painting features a grand archway inspired by the famous Ankor Wat temple in Cambodia with a winding stairway leading up to the Tiger's Nest Monastery, one of the holiest monasteries in Bhutan, perched on a high granite cliff. A beautiful tiger stands guard at the entranceway, raising awareness of the plight of this majestic animal, which is alas on the brink of extinction.

Peta has worked closely with the Crystal Castle’s creative director Sono King on the mural design which reflects the Castle’s love of Asia and deep respect for its diverse cultures and spirituality.

And the painting has some mysterious secrets. Can you find the ancient symbols carefully hidden within it?